"Drake," Luna said firmly, "my dad always says your hands need to be free when you're running or when something dangerous happens. What if you need to run?"
Vlad nodded in agreement, his voice soft but sensible. "She's right. And Principal sir's shadows are guarding the bags anyway."
Drake glanced at the swirling dark shadows Dante had summoned earlier, now curled protectively around the pile of bags. They looked like a nest of smoky serpents, calm but alert, ready to strike at anything that tried to touch the children's belongings.
Sable sniffled and pointed with his tiny hand. "See? They're safe there… they won't let anything happen."
Finally, Drake sighed deeply, as if parting with great treasure. "Okaaay…" he muttered, dragging his feet dramatically as he carried the small bag over to the pile. He placed it gently beside the others.
The moment Drake stepped back, Dante's shadows shifted like ink swirling in water, wrapping protectively around all the bags again.
